Peninsular River · East-flowing

Godavari

Dakshin Ganga / Gautami
🏔️ Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra (1067 m) → Bay of Bengal — two-channel delta
1,465 kmTotal Length
312,812Basin km²
SeasonalFlow Type
3States
Smooth-coated OtterFlagship Species

About the Godavari

The Godavari is India's longest peninsular river at 1465 kilometres, draining nearly one-tenth of India's total area. Called the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganga of the South), the Godavari is as sacred to the Deccan as the Ganga is to North India — Nashik on its banks hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, and the river's entire course is dotted with sacred ghats and temples. The river rises from Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and flows southeast across the Deccan plateau through Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before splitting into two branches at its delta.

The Godavari's tributaries drain the heart of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape — the Indravati and Pranhita tributaries flow through some of the wildest forests in India. The Papikonda National Park occupies the dramatic Papikonda Hills gorge where the main river cuts through the Eastern Ghats. The river's delta is a major wetland of international importance, supporting enormous concentrations of wintering and migratory waterbirds. The Godavari basin faces severe water stress from multiple dams and irrigation projects.

States along this river
MaharashtraTelanganaAndhra Pradesh
Length (vs Ganga, 2525 km)
1,465 km — 58% of India's longest river
Key tributaries

Pranhita · Indravati · Manjira · Penganga · Wardha · Sabari

Wildlife along this river
Smooth-coated Otter 🦦Mugger Crocodile 🐊Indian Skimmer 🐦Spot-billed Pelican 🦩Mahseer 🐟
Best time to explore
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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